Chapter 1647: Starry Puppet Thirty Million, The Reverse Forbidden Wheel Gives Birth to an Ultimate Sound

The light on the four swords gleamed brilliantly.

Xu Xiaoshou had initially considered using Dao Qiongcang’s method for this second sword: leveraging the Heart Sword Technique to exploit Chong Yin’s vulnerabilities, as described in the “Sword Observation Tome.”

But as the illusory ancient tome blossomed beneath his feet, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Xu Xiaoshou, and he recalled something important.

While Ba Zun'an had indeed mastered all nine sword techniques, Xu Xiaoshou vaguely recalled someone mentioning that his most frequently used technique was the Illusion Sword Technique.

The Illusion Sword Technique boasted an abundance of special effects!

It was almost the primary or secondary choice for any ancient sword cultivator with a flair for the dramatic.

Ba Zun'an was no exception.

However, these were not what truly struck Xu Xiaoshou.

Instead, it was the thought that if the Illusion Sword Technique was more compatible with Ba Zun'an, the chances of successfully summoning him would be significantly higher.

Furthermore, the Illusion Sword Technique's primary strength wasn't its special effects, which were superficial. The key was its core characteristic: it also leaned towards mental attacks!

Although not as direct as the Heart Sword Technique, it possessed an additional feature: the ability to turn illusions into reality!

Moreover, if possible, the second realm of the Illusion Sword Technique could create "real" entities that didn't actually exist!

It could be an event, an object… so why not a “person”?

"The Illusion Sword Technique wasn't the only sword technique that delved into the grand paths of space and time, but it delved the deepest."

"It would be useless if the actual Eight-fingered Cripple showed up; the person I need to summon is his past self."

"What if a single sword strike, a Second World, could reverse thirty years of time..."

After much consideration, the Heart Sword Technique, Prajna-lessness, became his secondary choice for this second sword.

Because no matter how strong it was, its limits were clear.

The Desireless Reckless Sword was able to sever Chong Yin's Saint Emperor physical body because his opponent was overly arrogant and conceited, neither retreating nor bolstering his defenses. By the time he considered defending, it was already too late.

Now, Chong Yin was being extremely cautious, activating all his techniques and deploying various protective treasures. It was highly probable that even Xu Xiaoshou's Prajna-lessness, with its nine realms merged, wouldn't be able to completely wipe out Chong Yin's mental essence.

The Illusion Sword Technique was undeniably ethereal and elusive.

It was akin to a castle in the air, incredibly unstable.

If Chong Yin became wary of the Second World, he could resist it, perhaps even block the sword from the very beginning and then counterattack.

But if he couldn't withstand it… then Ba Zun'an might genuinely be summoned — a power with no upper limit!

Between a peak Ba Zun'an and Chong Yin, weakened to the point where only his soul-will remained, there was no question as to who was stronger.

Realm was no longer the sole criterion for measuring everything in battle.

"Should I take a gamble?"

Xu Xiaoshou gripped the Four Swords tightly.

Being timid was not his nature. He quickly made his decision: "I'll use the Illusion Sword Technique!"

"What will it be?"

"How will this sword be unleashed?"

Chong Yin was fully concentrated, his face contorted with effort, and demonic flames burned fiercely in the eyes of his soul body.

He looked down on Xu Xiaoshou! Yes, even now, he believed the beheading of his Saint Emperor body had merely been an accident!

And in his mind, it was.

If Chong Yin hadn't benevolently agreed to this ant's three-sword pact, with such a slow starting stance, Xu Xiaoshou would have died three hundred times over.

Moreover, the boy's sword had been too well-hidden and unleashed with such a roundabout approach; he had been conceited, only employing two or three layers of defense, which ultimately led to that unfortunate outcome.

Now, it was different! Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. With just this added layer of caution, and with so many treasures from the Ruins of the Ancestor of Techniques at his disposal, his physical, spiritual, and mental aspects were utterly impervious.

What could Xu Xiaoshou possibly use to breach his defenses? He couldn't even do it by sacrificing his life!

"Illusion Sword Technique?" As red plum blossoms elegantly descended from the sky, Chong Yin's three eyes simultaneously narrowed. He had already detected changes in the surrounding void.

The grand paths of space and time were both being called upon.

This boy was indeed an ancient sword cultivator, proficient in the path of space, and with the added blessing of the Time Ancestor’s Shadow Staff. He must be adept at the Illusion Sword Technique.

"No!"

"It's not necessarily the Illusion Sword Technique!"

Enveloped by demonic energy, Chong Yin’s thoughts were in utter disarray. He had just discerned some clues when countless little figures in his mind began to shout:

"The Desireless Reckless Sword, which severed the galaxy – a lesson from the past, yet you're not guarding against it now?"

"Heart, Void, Myriad, Emotion – four aspects borrowing two realms, giving rise to myriad changes. You're not guarding against that now?"

Xu Xiaoshou was a deceiver!

Since he had prematurely revealed hints of the Illusion Sword Technique, it was highly probable that this second sword wouldn't primarily be based on it.

So, what would it be?

From beginning to end, Chong Yin had been wary of Abandoned by Heaven and Prajna-lessness. These two swords were undoubtedly the most damaging to one's will.

"Illusion Sword Technique emphasizes the will, and the Heart and Void swords also emphasize the will. All of them can be blocked with mind-controlling techniques."

A sharp light burst from Chong Yin's eyes; he already had his answer.

The Desireless Reckless Sword could strike once, but it couldn't be replicated. He only needed to focus on what was behind him.

And it wasn't about guarding against the Mo Sword Art that severed the physical body; it was about guarding against the 'Mo' of the Mo Sword Art when it blended with other sword techniques, becoming stronger and capable of severing the will.

Chong Yin no longer had a body, so what body was there to defend?

"Technique!" He pinched his fingers into a hand seal and chanted under his breath.

Under multiple layers of divine artifact protection, Chong Yin further applied a dozen defensive techniques to his soul body and consciousness.

Layer upon layer of illusory light adorned his soul body's head, which seemed to have grown three sizes, making him look quite comical.

Who cared about image? As long as it worked! Chong Yin no longer gave any thought to such things; after his body was severed, his dignity had long since shattered.

"This is bad!" Xu Xiaoshou's heart sank at the sight.

Should he change his move? Even if he did, shifting towards Prajna-lessness, he would still have to confront Chong Yin's barrage of defensive techniques head-on.

There was no way around them. Plus, he would lose the element of surprise.

"I can't change it!" "This old Chong Yin is very cunning. Perhaps at the critical moment, he'll expect me to change my move and then lower his heavy defenses to adjust. If I remain unchanged against his change, I might strike directly at his core... right?"

"This is bad!" Dao Qiongcang watched as layers of anomalies appeared in the space beneath the red plum blossoms.

Xu Xiaoshou's intentions were clearly revealed, and Chong Yin’s resolve to make amends for his past oversight was exceptionally firm.

Both were stubborn. Neither could change. This was destined to be a head-on, unyielding collision!

"But head-on..." He couldn't win at all!

Dao Qiongcang himself had fought Chong Yin head-on for most of the day. Granted, he wasn't the sharpest sword, but that depended on the comparison — he certainly couldn't compare to the Eight God Cao.

The combat power of the Three Venerable Qiongcang was evident to all, certainly no weaker than Xu Xiaoshou's, yet he had only been able to fight the deranged Chong Yin to a standstill before the latter lost his sanity.

Dao Qiongcang knew very well how difficult it was to breach Chong Yin's defenses when he became cautious.

Xu Xiaoshou was indeed strong...

"The only hope is that the Illusion Sword Technique might actually summon Ba Zun'an, especially since the seal has already been severed by his sword."

"If Ba could come, the sharpness of his sword could sever Chong Yin's will!"

Dao Qiongcang frowned. After weighing the pros and cons, his body gradually dimmed, and finally, his aura vanished from outside the battlefield.

"I must help him! And help myself!"

Beyond the starry sky, invisible ripples formed. Encircling the plane of the Divine Remains, Heavenly Dao patterns emerged, followed by the illumination of countless pairs of eyes, each glowing with holy, scorching white light.

The eyes were tiny, like distant lamps or beans in the vast starry expanse.

Before long, bodies formed around the eyes, and tens of millions of small Heavenly 機 puppets appeared, each drawing a sword and standing in the starry sky outside the Divine Remains.

"An..."

Tens of millions of Grandmaster sword intents erupted. While their quality wasn't top-tier, their sheer quantity was staggering. As these tens of millions of light swords were simultaneously raised, the quantitative change triggered a qualitative transformation, turning their power into a starry storm that radiated outwards in endless ripples.

Silent, yet utterly furious!

"Search!"

"Find him for me!"

Dao Qiongcang's true consciousness fragmented into tens of millions, residing within each of the Heavenly 機 puppet army units.

Finding a needle in a haystack? No, finding a needle in a starry sky!

Sometimes, the most seemingly foolish methods are the most effective. It's just that some find them too arduous, and more often, lack the ability to execute them.

Dao Qiongcang, however, could.

Of course, he didn't expect this method to directly locate the coordinates of the Sacred God Continent, let alone Ba Zun'an himself.

If it did, it would be an immense stroke of luck! Pure fortune! Heaven would not wish his demise!

Dao Qiongcang would be delighted. He would formally invite Ba Zun'an over to assist Xu Xiaoshou, but the probability of that was less than one in a hundred million.

"Kui Leihan, knowing his son would die, would surely invite Ba Zun'an to search for the Divine Remains' coordinates through the sub-plane door."

"Ba Zun'an might not come himself, as he's crippled, but at least one capable person closest to him would surely appear."

"Whether it's You Tu, Wen Ting, Xiao Kongtong, other hidden members of the Saint Servants, or even a Saint Emperor from the Void Island..."

"Someone must!"

Dao Qiongcang believed it was most likely an ancient sword cultivator, so he activated a Grandmaster sword intent, brazenly flaunting it in the vast starry sea.

"Look at me! Look at me! I'm here!"

"As long as you glance at me, I can immediately lock onto you in return, and the coordinates for Void Island, or the Sacred God Continent—home—will instantly appear!"

For a long while, there was no result.

Dao Qiongcang wasn't disappointed; this was the most normal outcome.

Even if someone sensed the fluctuation, if they weren't foolish, they likely wouldn't dare to look too long.

Even if they did look… the Divine Remains constantly moved, and the spatial coordinates of the Sacred God Continent and Void Island were constantly shifting.

A glance from "outgoing" to "received" to then "locking onto" the other party – something that normally wouldn't take a moment – could take ten thousand years, or perhaps forever, in the starry sky.

This didn't even account for the possibility that the other party might possess the power to 'retract a glance.'

No result. Still no result.

"Buzz!" It was unclear when it began, but the Heavenly 機 puppet army rapidly shifted outwards with the fluctuations, wandering in the starry sky and gradually moving away from the Divine Remains.

Not long after venturing further out, Dao Qiongcang even released the aura of the Wrathful Immortal Buddha Sword.

He started with the most laborious and fundamental method. Success would be fortunate, but failure wouldn't matter. Meeting a helper would be ideal, but if not, Dao Qiongcang had a backup plan.

Wandering! Preparing for the worst-case scenario… Ba Zun'an couldn't be summoned, Xu Xiaoshou died in battle, and Dao Qiongcang himself was slain – no one would survive.

These thirty million Heavenly 機 puppet army units could wander in the starry sky for a long time, until perhaps a hundred or a thousand years later, when one might accidentally encounter the Sacred God Continent, or another plane.

Dao Qiongcang would then revive on the spot!

No one could calculate how vast the family fortune of this unfathomable Dao Master truly was, nor how insane the quality of his Heavenly 機 army, after thirty years of openly and secretly embezzling as the head of the Sacred God Continent's foremost power.

From the moment he chose to enter the Dyeing Tea Remains, Dao Qiongcang had prepared for the worst.

Aside from Xu Xiaoshou inexplicably extinguishing his soul once, which counted as an unforeseen variable, Dao Qiongcang always calculated every possible outcome.

He would never allow himself to perish in the Divine Remains.

"If I'm going to kill someone, it will never be on a whim," Dao Qiongcang had declared after his first kill as a child.

His preparations were always absolute.

As for his current actions, based on the probability theory within Heavenly 機 arts, the chances of events spiraling towards the worst outcome were very small.

It was highly probable that even if Xu Xiaoshou died in battle, he, Dao Qiongcang, would not.

It was highly probable that even if both sides suffered heavy losses and were trapped in the Divine Remains, he, Dao Qiongcang, would not be trapped.

Perhaps he would bring the few Saint Servants from the Divine Punishment Pillar back to the Sacred God Continent, inciting hatred...

Or perhaps he would wander alone until he found the desired outcome...

The fortune sticks in a cylinder were all made and placed by people; thus, the probability of drawing the best fortune stick was naturally not random.

Human effort is decisive. Heaven helps those who help themselves.

Dao Qiongcang's will to survive was stronger than anyone's; he disliked the worst fortune sticks, and even the merely good ones.

He strove to ensure that every action he took would be something his future self, ten years later, would look back on with satisfaction.

What he strove to achieve wasn't simply to make the drawn fortune sticks lean as much as possible towards the best outcome.

Dao Qiongcang had two fortune stick cylinders. One was for others to see, fair, just, and open. The other was for himself, and in that one, only the very best fortune sticks were allowed to exist – this was what he truly strove to achieve!

"Ba Zun'an, come quickly..." "Whatever your backup plan is, just give me a signal, and I'll return the entire starry sky to you."

"Hmm?" One could guard against a thousand things, but illusions were hard to guard against. Even if he became more wary, even if his magical defenses stacked even higher, fundamentally, Chong Yin was currently demonized and his mind was in disarray, an undeniable fact. In such a state, he was strong in appearance but weak in reality. When the sword dao disk on the ancient tome lit up with the grand path patterns belonging to the Illusion Sword Technique's Second World...

Chong Yin's mind collapsed!

"What is this?" He saw... a boundless world.

Reason told him this was a Second World, and he must not sink into it, must not be curious, and must certainly not explore it.

Objectively, within this world, layer upon layer of "fears"—nightmares he had been unwilling to face since his revival—rapidly manifested.

"Boom!" While he was napping on his divine throne, a burly, bald figure burst through the ground, ascending directly into the pitch-black sky.

Chong Yin raised his brows, gazing with interest. In this Thirty-third Heaven... he had the World Tree's Creation Infant to assist him, he held ultimate power over the lives and deaths of all within the Divine Remains, and he was named 'Invincible'!

"I never thought someone could break the first rule of Dyeing Tea."

"Could there truly be someone in this world who could ascend three realms and glimpse my true name?"

On his divine throne, Chong Yin lazily stretched and stood up, his three heads and three eyes all scornfully fixed on the figure who, among the humble and insignificant humans, truly stood out like a crane among chickens:

"State your name."

"As a reward, Chong Yin shall bestow glory upon you."

"No—!" When the silent giant, burning its own body, exploded the Ancestor God's physical form with a single staff strike, Chong Yin let out a heartbreaking scream.

He grabbed the Creation Infant Holy Plant to block in front of him. The Overlord's staff strike shattered it.

He flipped his divine throne to block in front of him. The Overlord's staff strike shattered it.

He formed a hand seal... The Overlord's staff strike shattered it.

There were no frills whatsoever; it was purely an exchange of 'sacrifice' for power, which was then 'vented.'

It didn't even utter an unnecessary word. It offered no room for negotiation or cooperation.

The Ancestor God wouldn't lie... An Ancestor God's promise was a divine oracle. Why wouldn't it speak? Why did it just strike?

"Shen Yi!!!" Chong Yin screamed in agony, unable to bear such humiliation any longer.

Facing the final, explosive strike of the golden Overlord at the peak of his soul-will, he angrily opened his eyes and detonated his three Chong Yin eyes:

"Forbidden Reversal, Forbidden Rebirth!"

"What technique is this?" Xu Xiaoshou slowly drew the Four Swords.

As this sword was slowly being unleashed, he had originally intended to wait until the Second World was fully formed before entering the sword and unleashing myriad transformations.

But Chong Yin was too illusory, so weakened that his mind collapsed midway.

During this process, he was able to glimpse one or two of Chong Yin's deepest fears from a God's-eye view: the battle in the Thirty-third Heaven that was never seen in the light!

An unexpected delight!

"Heavenly Dao..." During the great battle, Xu Xiaoshou could perceive the Six Paths Shen Yi.

Once the Heavenly Dao was activated, the Shen Yi giant, as tall as the heavens, had already been demonstrated once by the illusory Shen Yi above Jade Capital City.

However, during that battle, the Six Paths Shen Yi had been completely unable to contend with the freshly revived Chong Yin Evil God, who possessed the Ancestor God's body.

Yet, when 'Four Sacrifices' was activated, and the power of 'Body Sacrifice' gradually ignited the Six Paths Shen Yi's body, the battle situation changed dramatically.

Shen Yi's might surged visibly. The Chong Yin Evil God, who had just been so overbearing, now resembled the Jade Emperor encountering Sun Wukong, regretting only that there were no pillars to wrap around or tables to hide under in the Thirty-third Heaven.

It was directly exploded!

"The Four Sacrifices Shen Yi, its strength can already rival a freshly revived Ancestor God?"

"Doesn't that mean the Four Sacrifices Shen Yi can now contend head-on with a Saint Emperor in perfect condition, fighting them to a draw?"

No... Xu Xiaoshou quickly collected himself.

Shen Yi had said that Four Sacrifices could only be activated within the Divine Remains because of its high rule-level. If used on the Sacred God Continent, activating it would instantly lead to death.

Furthermore, if it were to face the Five Great Saint Emperor families, each with endless trump cards, it wasn't certain they wouldn't have a counter-method.

But the current Chong Yin truly had no retreat!

However, when the technique 'Forbidden Reversal, Forbidden Rebirth' burst open, Xu Xiaoshou clearly saw Chong Yin's soul-will blur on the spot.

The next second, Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he had seen something indescribable; his eyes burst, and his perception became chaotic. He vaguely remembered only glimpsing a beam of purple evil light descending from the sky, but the subsequent images… were gone. He couldn't remember them at all.

"Ancestor God!" Not being able to remember didn't mean he got no information. Xu Xiaoshou's expression changed to one of horror. In that instant, Chong Yin must have somehow gained his peak-era power!

All of it? Ten percent, thirty percent? One in ten thousand, one in hundred thousand? He didn't know...

The cost of activating this technique, its consequences, its limitations… he also didn't know!

The only certainty was that Four Sacrifices Shen Yi had been unable to defeat 'Forbidden Reversal, Forbidden Rebirth'; it had been defeated and ultimately trapped in the Thirty-third Heaven.

During the long process of 'self-imprisonment,' the Thirty-third Heaven remained separate from the lower realms until Dao Qiongcang's great Divine Descent Technique brought Shen Yi back down.

"A cornered dog really will jump over the wall!" "No! It'll bite!"

Xu Xiaoshou strove to maintain the continuous operation of this sword's Second World, yet goosebumps rose all over his body.

He dared not guarantee in the slightest that if Chong Yin could unleash that technique again, he himself, even with Four Sacrifices activated, could survive as Shen Yi had.

"Ba Zun'an..." Xu Xiaoshou, who had still been thinking of slaying Chong Yin with his own power alone, completely extinguished his playfulness and recklessness.

"Little Ba! I need you! Come quickly and shield me! I can handle the offense; just help me withstand that forbidden technique, it's very simple, just come quickly!"

The ancient tome slowly unfurled beneath his feet. The illusory figure within its world of ancient texts remained indifferent in his mind.

It was unclear what stage Dao Qiongcang’s summoning ritual had reached, but even through the Second World, he couldn't seem to summon the young and reckless Ba Zun'an.

Xu Xiaoshou's sword slowly sliced out, and his heart sank a little. Was he attacking, or was he seeking his own demise?

He didn't even want to fight Chong Yin anymore. He split off a wisp of his mind, turning it into a large slap aimed at the white-robed swordsman in the ancient tome's world who was still pretending to be a god.

"Eight-fingered Cripple, wake up!"

"My name is Hua Changdeng! I'm giving you face; don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

Beep, beep, beep! In the starry sky, the Heavenly 機 puppet exhibiting the aura of the Wrathful Immortal Buddha Sword suddenly emitted an 'alarm.'

However, in the next instant, sword energy erupted from its body, tearing it to shreds. After a flash of silver light, the source of the attack vanished.

Within the Divine Remains, Dao Qiongcang, in his invisible state, his eyes turned bloodshot, bulging like a mad dog that had been hungry for thirty years.

With a single thought, the thirty million mad dog army in the starry sky turned and pounced towards the vanishing point of the sword intent's aura.

"Trying to run?"

"Not a chance!"